Page 1 of 1 Volkswagen have entered a completely new market with this Mercedes-Benz and BMW challenging Phaeton. The Phaeton is based off the D1 concept launched in 1999.

At the launch in spring 2002 there will be two engines available for the Phaeton, this W12 engine and a 3.2 litre V6 engine. A third engine and a completely new 6 speed automatic gearbox will follow shortly after, this V10 diesel engine will be the most powerful production car diesel engine. Another two engines are said to be added later in the year or in 2003.

The running gear and drivetrain philosophy: all versions of the new saloon feature a state-of-the-art 4-system pneumatic suspension with stepless mapped electronic damper regulation. This suspension will be combined with 4MOTION four-wheel drive, either as standard (W12, V10 TDI) or later on as an option with certain engines.

The body: steel body parts are fully galvanised. The doors, boot lid, and bonnet are aluminium. The doors are a technical work of art in themselves: using a system of laser-welded diecast aluminium, they have been manufactured to a rigidity which far exceeds any structures implemented before.

The interior: in this area the luxury saloon redefines air conditioning with a completely new system - the 4-Corner Climatronic. This absolutely draught-free system supplies indirect flows of air to defined zones of the interior via automatically opening and closing vents.

Volkswagen have avoided cluttering the interior with controls. All technical equipment available to the driver and passengers remains logical, understandable, and intuitive. Technology for the benefit of the customer was the supreme development objective.

As a result, the functions of the new standard infotainment centre with a seven inch 16:9 colour display in the centre console are completely clear for the user. Depending on equipment specification, these include audio system with six-disk CD changer and concert hall sound, navigation system, TV, on-board computer, telephone, and air conditioning.

The name Phaeton has a long automotive history as it was a name for a bodystyle before the second world war. Volkswagen have chosen the name because of the Greek meaning of it; 'the shining one'. A production run of up to 100 cars per day is planned in the new 'Transparent Factory' in Dresden, employing over 800 people. Page 1 of 1